Posted by Bryan Thomas on Feb 3, 2016
Replacing keys does not have to be a nightmare job that it currently is for many people. it should be part of an ordinary process arising due to human error or a precaution against the eventuality of losing a key. Anyone is allowed to replace keys and the most commonly replaced ones are car keys and door lock keys. You are therefore not alone. Having said that, keys come in unique shapes and they all have unique features that make them specific to particular locks. Therefore, you cannot just order a key replacement; you need to know who to call for your particular case.
Resources:
www.evkeys.net
Wikipedia
comsumerreports.org
Who can I call for key replacement?
1. A locksmith who provide key duplicates
Here, the key replacement is meant to prevent emergencies in future. You are interested in having an alternative in case you forget or lose your current keys. When you are calling for replacement, you will have to provide your present key for it to be duplicated by the locksmith. Duplication will cover keys that are in electronic format and use special codes to open. It will also cover ordinary keys that rely on a unique engraving on their longitudinal side.
2. A professional service with the capability of making duplicates from unique lock and key numbers
Padlocks will come with unique key numbers that are specific to the keys that open them. The vendors of these padlocks and locksmiths have the ability to identify replacements that may be used on the padlocks. However, the padlocks must be of the category that supports the use of specific numbers as unique identifiers for their keys. Therefore, when you have such as padlock and have lost your keys or just need replacements, you can simply provide the number to a professional key replacement service and you will be able to get a proper functioning replacement key.
3. Lock repair technician
Sometimes you leave your keys in the house or inside your car. To get them back, you have to find replacement keys or tamper with your lock to have it open so that you can fetch keys. Upon fetching keys, you realize that they no longer fit well to the lock. This can happen for various reasons including the physical tampering or use of overriding codes in the case of electronic keys. Thus, you will need recalibration of the lock so that it can work well again. Often, you will also need replacement keys that fit the repaired lock because it will be operating as new. Be prepared for the eventuality that your original keys fail to work on a tampered lock and when it happens, call your lock repair technician.
4. General key replacement service provider
For security reasons, key replacement services will be skeptical is you are not the lock owner. They would not want to facilitate unauthorized entry into houses or cars. As part of their ethical conduct for doing their business, they will request that you provide additional verification information when presenting your case of key replacement. Thus, it is helpful for owners to be the ones that make the call for key replacement. The service should be faster because the owner will have the necessary information needed by the locksmith. In some cases, a family member with express orders from the key owner might make the call and will need proper identification to show that the relation of the caller and they key owner is trustworthy. In cases where there specific combination codes or input codes involved with keys, only the person knowing these combinations should make the call. Key replacement service providers list their details on the internet and you can find your local vendor easily from a location specific search.
There are other numerous scenarios for seeking a key replacement. Irrespective of the time of need, the examples offered are the most common solutions to refer to when you need a key replacement. The good news is that there is assistance for you when you know what to bring forth when seeking a replacement. Besides, calling is the best action you can take to find out whether your situation is covered and what it is going to take to have your replacement keys availed to you. Always offer accurate and practical information when you call because that will lead to faster outcomes for your key replacement.
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Posted by Bryan Thomas on Feb 3, 2016
It used to be that getting a key made was just a matter of a trip to the hardware store, and that was it. Hand the clerk your key, he makes a duplicate, gives it back to you, and you are on your way home, the owner of a new key. Unfortunately, unless you are a cave dweller, locks and keys are a lot more sophisticated today. Naturally, all of this technology can come at a very steep price.
Many new cars today have what are called a proximity key, which allows an owner to unlock their car door by simply having the correct key close. Further, they can start the ignition by having a key close, then pushing a Start button on the dash. Needless to say, these systems aren’t cheap to replace a key for, but even the less sophisticated keys aren’t cheap. Big thanks to the guys at Ahwatukee Locksmith for all the useful information.
Transponder Systems
To prevent automobile theft, many cars today have transponder systems that prevent them from starting without the key that is programmed to match it. These systems also include a fob with buttons that lock or unlock the doors.
If you happen to lose the key and the fob you can take it to your car’s dealer for a replacement and reprogramming, but it will cost you about $200, depending on the make of the car as well as the key’s design. Some dealers will charge you up to $375 for this service while others will charge up to $500, depending on the model.
If you want to save money and you can afford to wait, you might be able to buy a replacement key over the Internet. A Honda dealer, for example, might charge you up to $200 to replace the key to a 2005 Accord. Websites such as keylessride.com, a source for all kinds of key replacements at discount prices, will usually charge you considerably less. The same key for the above mentioned Accord sells on keylessride for $54. If you decide to opt for an off-brand, a key will cost you about $45. If you want a locksmith to cut another key and program it, the cost will be an additional $80, bringing the total to $134.
Going it Alone
Depending on the make a model of your car, you can do it yourself and save more money. The first thing to do in these instances is to buy a fob from one of many sources, checking the instructions in the owner’s manual for your car, then program the fob to match. If you need more information or another view on the instructions, these can usually be found online. You can search online by entering your car’s model name and “key programming.”
Another problem that often presents itself is when the buttons of your fob stop working, but you can still start the car with the key. It’s at this point that the fob’s battery usually needs to be changed. These types of batteries can usually be purchased at minimal expense at drugstores, convenience stores, and retailers such as Radio Shack for less than $10. There is usually a tiny screw in what amounts to a door on the fob that you can open and replace the battery. If not, you might be able to pry the door open with a coin or a small screwdriver to replace the battery.
If after you have replaced the electronics of the fob it still doesn’t work, you might have to replace the electronics completely. Most dealers will do this for around $100 or slightly less, depending on the model of your car. This is another task that you can usually accomplish yourself and have it cost you minimal money.
Call a Locksmith
Let’s face it. Some people are simply not inclined to make their repairs. This does not mean, however, that they can’t save money. It’s for these people that a locksmith is usually the best idea for replacing a key. Calling a locksmith won’t, admittedly, cost you less than doing the work yourself, but if you want to save both time and money, a locksmith will probably be your best bet. You should also consider that the cost of a locksmith will usually be significantly less than a dealer, even if he does charge you more for a service call.
Obviously, a locksmith knows what he’s doing, and since more cars are coming equipped with programmable keys and fobs, most locksmiths have been trained to work with them. It’s also important to note that if a locksmith has to come to your home or office to make a key, they usually have a miniature version of their shop in their truck or van and can make your key while you wait. This is another significant cost savings. Not only will locksmiths cost you less because they are in that business and nothing else, but locksmiths are usually the best deal when time is of the essence. There is also less chance of damage to your car since the car does not need to be towed to a dealership for the work to be done. The locksmith will usually come to wherever the car is located to get the job done. Another benefit of a locksmith is that they are normally available 24/7.
Better Safe Than Sorry
There’s no avoiding the fact that the keys used on modern cars are expensive to replace. Just as is the case with many other things in life, the best defense against lost keys is to get a spare key made when you have the time to do it. It’s when you don’t have a key or the time to deal with it that it’s called an emergency and it will cost you a premium to get the problem resolved.
Finally, if you are one of those kinds of people who like to tempt fate by having only one set of keys, consider this: if you lose your keys, and you need to get your car towed to a dealership for service, it can cost you more than $1,000 to replace the locks on your car. The choice is yours to make.
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Posted by Bryan Thomas on Feb 2, 2016
It’s a smart thought to consider home security, regardless of the possibility that you are a leaseholder or live in a townhouse with a gatekeeper or in a gated group. Anybody can be a casualty of burglary, and on the off chance that you are home when a thief encroaches, the wrongdoing can grow into something, significantly more, risky.
For the well being of you and your family, you might need to think about having as a home security framework introduced, yet there are additionally a great deal of useful things you can do that don’t include spending a ton of cash on extravagant cautions or security cameras. How about we investigate some fundamental tips, brought to us by the guys at scottsdalelocksmithpros.net:
1. Secure carport entryways and windows
While a great many people have strong entryways and locks for front and back home passageways, they once in a while overlook that carport entryways ought to be of good quality also. This incorporates stroll through entryways and the entryways for autos. More seasoned programmed carport entryway openers were generally simple to hack, so if your model is more than 15 or 20 years of age, you might need to move up to a more current framework that utilizes moving codes.
2. Lock separated carports and capacity sheds
Regardless of the possibility that you don’t continue anything especially significant in your patio nursery shed, understand that hoodlums can stroll in and get apparatuses, for example, cultivators, tomahawks, and scoops which can be utilized as a part of breaking windows to permit passage into your home. Likewise, unsecured stepping stools ought to be bolted up some place inside, as they can permit criminals access to second story windows, which numerous mortgage holders neglect to close and bolt.
3. Keep windows and entryways shut
Talking about windows, it’s a smart thought to keep them shut and bolted when you’re not at home (and on the off chance that you live in a high-wrongdoing neighborhood, you might need to keep them bolted when you’re there also). Additionally, keep entryways bolted, notwithstanding when you are home. Notwithstanding consistent handle locks, consider including dead dashes for additional security against having an entryway kicked down.
4. Try not to entice robbers
Got a major plasma television? An extravagant auto? Adornments? That is fine, however don’t entice individuals into violations of chance by permitting these things to be effectively seen by anybody going by your home. On the off chance that you have costly autos in your carport, consider draperies for the windows so individuals can’t see in. In like manner, don’t put costly (and compact) things directly before room or parlor windows.
5. Keep your yard sufficiently bright
Criminals like to work in dim and shadows since they’re less inclined to be seen that way, so ensure your patio nursery doesn’t give hoodlums a spot to stow away. Introduce open air lights with movement or warmth recognizing sensors, so they will turn on around evening time when somebody approaches the house. The lawn, front yard, and side yards ought to all have security lighting.
6. Offset conveyances when out of town
Nothing welcomes a robbery to such an extent as a house with nobody home. On the off chance that you are leaving town, don’t make it noticeable to passing criminals. Have the paper and mail put on hold or have a sitter lift them up for you. Programmed lights that go ahead around evening time will likewise trick robbers into supposing somebody is home.
7. Change locks when moving into another home
Regardless of the possibility that you’re a tenant, it’s a smart thought to have the entryway locks changed when you move into another house or loft. Unless you are moving into new development, you have no clue about knowing what number of keys have been made throughout the years that fit your entryway.
8. Try not to put your name and address on your keys
Keys get lost constantly, and you might believe it’s a smart thought to have your name and address on your key ring, however every one of that does is let the discoverer know where your home is, and now they have the keys that open the front entryway. They could call you and let you know they’ve discovered your keys and to meet them at such-and-such a spot and even as you’re taking off to meet them, they are back at your home, giving themselves access to take your resources.
9. Try not to go out
Right up ’til the present time, many individuals still go out keys under doormats, above door jambs, under pots, rocks, and so forth. Regardless of how precarious you think you are being in picking a covering recognize, a criminal can discover it. Robbery is their main thing professionally so obviously they know every one of the traps. In case you’re stressed over losing your keys and not having the capacity to get into your home, consider introducing biometric entryway bolts or locks that open when PIN codes are entered.
10. Introduce a security spy opening or “peep gap” at your front entryway
Indeed, even as a kid, you were most likely advised never to open the entryway for outsiders. This is reasonable exhortation notwithstanding for grown-ups. To see who is at the entryway, think about introducing as a wellbeing spy opening or peep gap. This makes it simple to see who’s outside without them seeing in, and it’s a generally economical home security update.
There are a many of home security safeguards you can take that will make your home to a lesser extent an objective for cheats. Additionally, they cost next to zero cash to actualize, so the ball is in your court to make your home safe.
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Posted by Bryan Thomas on Feb 2, 2016
Losing or having a malfunctioning car key can be an incredibly stressful experience. You literally feel immobilized even as you have an important trip to make. Like the best things in life, you realize its worth only when it’s gone. But what could you possibly do to get your car keys back once you have lost it?
Remember, a lost car key is not just an inconvenience but also a security threat. Someone else might be in possession of your car key and might leave you without your car if you do not take adequate steps to have your car key replaced. But how does some one get his or her car key replaced after having misplaced the same? Read on to find out that losing your car key should not necessarily leave you stressed. Armed with the right information, you will learn that replacing your car keys is a breeze.
Choosing a locksmith to replace your car keys
The first step should be find out whether you have any car insurance coverage for the lost key. Typically, a car insurance does not provide for lost keys and the individual will have to pay out of his or her pocket. If, like most Americans, you car insurance does not provide for lost keys, then you have to determine if you want to have your key replaced by a dealership or an auto locksmith.
Remember, having your car keys replaced from a dealership is an expensive proposition. It is not uncommon to be charged $200 for the whole exercise which includes cutting your car key as well as programming it. If your car is newer or a luxury model then expect this bill to shoot up to as high as $500. If this sounds too high a price to you, as it does to us, then there is a cheaper and equally effective option. Buy them from a reputed local auto locksmith.
Choosing a local locksmith to replace your car key is an economical and safe option when it comes to replacing your car keys. The local locksmith would do the exact same thing as the dealership when it comes to replacing the car keys except charging significantly less.
Resources:
www.sunlakeslocksmith.com
Angieslist.com
www.locksmiths-search.com
How to choose the right locksmith?
As mentioned above, being locked out of your car is not only not fun, but also a huge safety risk. It makes sense, therefore, that you do your proper homework and diligence check before hiring a locksmith. For example, an auto locksmith would require your vehicle’s make, its vehicle identification number, and the model in order to program the chip in the replacement key. However, this is sensitive information and handing out such details to unscrupulous operators might risk the safety of your car itself.
In particular, you should check for the following when choosing your locksmith.
1) Licenses and industry accreditation: One of the first thing you should make sure is that your locksmith has all the right and current licenses to ply his or her trade. Making sure that your locksmith has all the necessary certification and licenses in place means that you insure yourself against fly by night and unscrupulous operators who are only in it to make a quick buck.
2) Look for experience: Besides all the licenses and certification, you would want your locksmith to have adequate industry experience. Ask them about their experience in the industry so that you get an exemplary standard of service and care.
3) Check their reviews: Websites such as Angies List and other review websites should provide you a good clue about the quality of service provided by a locksmith. Ask their previous customers about their experience with a particular locksmith so that you know what you would be getting for your money.
4) Availability: It is often the case that you lose your car keys at the worst possible time when there is no help available on hand. This is where a locksmith who can make himself available at a short notice is so immensely valuable. Choose a locksmith who is both reliable and ready to provide help at all hours.
5) Fair pricing: Let us face it. A lot of us who have lost our car keys find ourselves in a desperate situation with a diminished power of negotiation. A lot of locksmiths take benefit of such a situation by charging unreasonably high prices. On the other hand, a reliable and experienced locksmith would offer you an upfront and transparent pricing. Choose a locksmith who is consistent, honest and fair in his prices.
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Posted by Bryan Thomas on Dec 11, 2015
I am not a handyman, and I am definitely not a locksmith. However, being a first time home owner, and one who is looking forward to making extensive use of smart home gear I have to admit that I have always been fascinated by the endless possibilities of being able to control home locks using smart phones.
At the moment there are several types of smart door locks designed with inbuilt Bluetooth connectivity which according to me has completely redefined home security of course apart from the fact that they have completely eliminated the need to use keys anymore.
Resources:
Los Angeles Locksmith Pros
schlage.com
kwikset.com
Why you should control your home locks using your smart phone
a. Security: the connectivity that exists between the home locks and the smart phone system is not only intelligent, it is equally very secure hence serves as a guarantee for the most protected access of your home from your smart phone’s operating system (iOS or android system).
b. Total Control: controlling your home locks using your smart phone is a guarantee for absolute control over who can gain entry into your home including managing how long they get to stay there.
Did you lock your doors this morning?
Making the switch and embracing the use of smart locks will save you the trouble of always having to worry about the security of your home (specifically if you locked the door properly or not). This will be possible since after you have smart locks installed in your house, you will have remote control of the locks hence able to check on the status of your home locks (whether open or locked) as a result being able to lock or unlock key entry points into your home at will.
Discover the Possibilities
Smart locks home connect technology is designed to allow you control home locks with your smart phone by allowing wireless communication with the locks installed in your home. Imagine being able to lock your door from your smart phone, or being able to get a text confirmation every time your loved one arrives home. These are just some of the possibilities which smart home technology can make happen.
Below is an overview of some of the possibilities which can easily be realized once you choose to control home locks with your smart phone. They include the fact that;
a. You will always received notifications whenever anyone enters your homeApart from simply being able to closely monitor who exactly goes into and out of your home, you will also receive periodic notifications whenever your loved ones arrive home.
b. You will have Control on how long individuals have access to your homeAre you away and a contractor is scheduled to stop by and make a couple of urgent repairs? Well, don’t sweat it; if you already installed smart locks in your home then there is absolutely no reason to worry. All you simply need to do is simply to find out exactly when the contractor, housekeeper or any other person is coming to your house and then assign a specific code and then come up with a schedule which only allows for entry into the house during the pre set times. For instance between 9am and 11am.
c. You will be best prepared for life’s unplanned momentsLife is generally very unpredictable; you may be at work, on the road or away on vacation and then you get news that something is wrong at home. With smart locks, you won’t have to worry much in such a situation since you will be able to provide temporary remote access to those who need it without stressing much
As a result of the technological advancements in home security and technology, you can now use your smart phone as a smart key. This means you can easily choose to lock or unlock you doors in your home remotely, create virtual keys for a few selected guests and most importantly control who has access to your home all from your smart phone.
From the above, the possibilities of having to control home locks with your smart phone are very clear, besides simply being able to automatically lock and unlock your home, you will be the key master and most important have control over who comes and goes remotely
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